Detente Era 1963-1984 Flashcards
What was the period from the Cuban Missile Crisis until 1975 known as? Why?
The ‘Long Peace’ due to the stabilization of relations that amounted to détente
What were US aims for détente?
To stabilize Europe in order to focus on conflict in Vietnam
Why did the USSR want détente?
It was distracted by rivalry with China
What did French and other European powers want from détente?
To assert their independence from the superpowers
Why was there rivalry between the USSR and China 1963-1984?
Although they were both Communist, Mao thought the Soviets were appeasers of Capitalism while the Soviets felt the Chinese wanted to overthrow them as the leading Communist state
In what year was a Sino-Soviet border conflict fought?
1969
What had happened in the Vietnam war by 1966?
- the US had put over 500,000 troops in South Vietnam to contain the spread of Communism from the North
- had fought a bitter guerrilla war with Vietcong fighters that caused loss of morale, life and support
- lost respect with NATO allies
What year did the US pull out of Vietnam?
1972
What year did North Vietnam invade the South?
1975
How did the US exploit the Sino-Soviet split?
President Nixon visited Mao in 1972 and agreed to rapprochement in relations, made USSR seek improved relations
Test Ban Treaty - when, what, who
Signed in 1963, banned nuclear tests underwater, atmosphere and outer space. Signed by Britain, USSR and US but not France or China
Non-Proliferation Treaty - when, what, who
Signed in July 1968, pledged to not transfer nuclear weapons to other countries or assist manufacture, signed by US, Britain, USSR and FRG
SALT (I) - when, what
Signed May 1972, froze construction of missile launchers, intercontinental, submarine launched ballistic missiles and long-range bombers
How was SALT (I) different for the USSR and US? How was it the same?
USSR allowed more missiles as US had more MIRVs that could hit multiple targets
Only allowed two anti-ballistic missile screens ensuring MAD
What was SALT (II)?
Created in June 1979 with further limitations, but US never ratified the Treaty as Soviets invaded Afghanistan
What year did France withdraw from NATO? Why? What did this cause?
- 1966
- Tried to weaken US financially in order to enhance national prestige and end ‘bloc mentality’
- Almost led to US withdrawing from Europe but President Johnson persuaded Senate to maintain presence due to negotiations with Brezhnev over arms limitations
What was Ostpolitik and why was it used?
- West Germany recognized division of Europe and post-war borders to gain better relations, and set up trading routes to Yugoslavia and Romania
- Because had long-term goal to reunite with East and believed in détente this was the best policy to follow
Hamel Report - when, what
In 1967, committed NATO to defending West but reaching détente with East
Bucharest Declaration - what
Tried to stop independent initiatives between satellite states and the West through the Bucharest Declaration, which tried to define what the whole bloc wanted from détente
Who was Alexander Dubcek and what did he want?
In January 1968 became leader of the Czech Communist Party, wanted to change their system to become more democratic and independent of the USSR
What was the ‘Prague Spring’?
A programme for change unveiled by Dubcek that opened the door to westernization and abolished censorship, which led to anti-Soviet propaganda
How did the ‘Prague Spring’ end?
On 21-22 August 1968 twenty divisions of the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia and ended the Prague Spring
How did the Prague Spring cause the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Brezhnev justified the invasion of Czechoslovakia as a threat to socialism in one country was a threat to the others. This therefore meant collective intervention was justified, which then became the Brezhnev Doctrine
How did Willy Brandt gain other nations’ support for Ostpolitik?
Emphasized he did not want to leave NATO or EC
